So that picture from the last post, of me knitting at the post office? I took it myself. Really! I used the self-timer, and I set the camera down on a woman’s package that she had propped on a small pylon. It’s totally staged–I set the camera up, set the timer, and got my hands into position. (For those who asked: the yarn is in my purse, over my right shoulder.) The self-timer is pretty long (10 seconds?), so I had plenty of time.

I’ve been using this feature and playing with my camera a lot so far this year. Why? Well, maybe partly because I live alone and if I don’t take them myself, who will? (Don’t you always wish you had a staff photographer, who would follow you around and document your life, the way presidents have?) But I’m bonded with my camera–and have no qualms about taking it out to set up a self portrait in public–because I’ve undertaken a project for the year.

I’m taking one self portrait a day. 365 days, 365 self portraits. I figure, it’s 2007: The Year of Erin, I should have a solid visual record. The photos above are just a sampling of the ones I did using the self-timer, including one on the subway, one running down the hall, and the one today, celebrating the first lunch outside of the year. I’ve taken more while holding the camera in my hand, because it’s easier–check out my Flickr set to see the rest. Edited to add: I’m participating in the 365 Days Flickr group, with nearly 3,500 other folks–some of whom started on Jan 1, but plenty of others who started on a random Tuesday. It’s just 365 Days, not necessarily 2007, so if you’re interested in participating, don’t wait!

Shifting gears: We’re about to cross a milestone comment number here at Pepperknit. The 2000th commenter is going to win a prize. And because I like for contests to have a, you know, contest element, there will be two prizes. To win the second prize, guess how many books on knitting I own. (This does not include Interweave Knits issues, which are not books, but does include Rowan Magazine, because it’s so booklike.) If more than one person guesses correctly, I will do one of those random number generators to pick a single winner. (The 2000th commenter will be exempt from winning the second prize.) I haven’t decided yet what these prizes will be, but I’ll think of something. Besides, you don’t really care what it is, right? It’s all about winning, not the prize! (Or is that just how I play these games?) Anyway, it’ll be yarn or something knitterly. And if you’re a nonknitter (I know there are some of you), I’ll think of something else suitably appropriate. Contest closes on Sunday, March 18, at 8pm EST.

I’m guessing you have 37 books, for no other reason than it seems like a nice number.

I love your self portraits…I can’t take photos of my projects without spending forever to set them up and they still come out like poo, so I am really, really impressed that you do the ten second timer thing!

I have to de-lurk to say your photo-a-day thing is awesome! I am doing one, too. Doesn’t it seem to become a habit where you’re thinking about how things will look through the view finder? I like that aspect of it because I feel like I notice more details about things now.

Cool, we’re neck and neck on comments — I just passed the 2000 mark a week or two ago. And yesterday was my blogiversary, and I have completely failed to have any contest or giveaway to mark either one. I’m a bad blogger.

Are these “Price Is Right” rules — closest without going over? Assuming not, I think you own 83 knitting books. I’m guessing high but it’s because you work in a field where you might have additional access to these kinds of things.

What a great idea to take a picture to document whatever defines each day. reflecting on those different photos and being able to really see the day-to-day will be so much more meaningful than photos of big events (and knitting). I always regret not taking more pictures. And I give you mad credit for being comfortable whipping your camera out anywhere. I’m always too self-conscious.

Thanks for posting about your self portraits. My camera has the capability, and I keep meaning to try it. Reading that you do it every day just makes me feel lazy for not at least trying…thanks for the inspiration!

I love your self-portrait a day project. I started a new blog with my friend Preeti where we post a picture of Cleveland every day. It is fun to get in the habit of taking lots of pictures & you look at things differently when you do. I am going to check out those Flickr groups!

I love contests! I’ve noticed that 365 photos thing on other blogs. What fun! I think when I get a camera phone, I will think about doing that too. Our camera is a family camera, so I couldn’t in good conscience have it with ME all the time – not very fair.

So, number of knitting books … hmmmm – I just counted mine, and without any mags, there are 48. So … I am guessing, including the Rowan mags, you probably have 53 on your shelves.

Happy 2000th comment!
thanks for sharing moments of your life with the world!

Yay, blogiversary! Me thinks you have 31 books. Really, I have no idea… because most of the time I end up buying yarn instead of books (the grad school lifestyle doesn’t really allow for both…). I have no clue what people with jobs are able to afford. Perhaps 31 is a little low, but I’m going with it!

Heh. When we were hiking a few days ago, I snapped a few arm’s-length shots of myself looking tired in front of majestic views. R made fun of me for this, so it’s good to see that someone else manages to take self portraits without looking like a crazy woman.

I like this photo a day idea- I may have to start now, I think I’ll be able to do plenty of interesting photos in the next few months! And I’m going to guess on the low end, that you have 17 knitting books.

I’m a bookaholic and I assume you are, too. When I come home with another knitting book, his response is — “Does that book have something in it that the other 2000 don’t?” My guess is that you have 112 books.

This contest made me start trying to think logically, based on what I do when I’m interested in a topic like knitting or cooking, and how I go about selecting books to buy and keep. But what it made me realize is that I’ve never seen a place you’ve lived. Ever in my life. And then I realized you’ve never seen where I live. I’ll be in NYC in May, as you know. When are you coming to SF?